Image forming apparatus, and recording medium therefor that ensure apparatus operation without separation of HDD when partially inoperable

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an HDD, an HDD confirming unit, a system control unit, and a non-volatile semiconductor storage device. The HDD confirming unit detects a failure of the HDD and, in situations where a failure is detected, executes a confirmation process of detecting any operable portion of the HDD. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device stores system data used for operation of the system control unit. In a failure of the HDD, when the HDD confirming unit does not detect any operable portion, the system control unit separates the HDD from the image forming apparatus and sets the image forming apparatus into a restriction mode. In a failure of the HDD, when the HDD confirming unit detects an operable portion, the system control unit does not separate the HDD from the image forming apparatus and sets the image forming apparatus into a small-capacity mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
 an HDD that stores user data created by a user; 
 an HDD confirming unit that detects a failure of the HDD and, in situations where a failure is detected, executes a confirmation process of detecting any operable portion of the HDD; 
 a system control unit; 
 a non-volatile semiconductor storage device that stores system data used for operation of the system control unit; and 
 a job execution unit that executes jobs; wherein 
 in a failure of the HDD, when the HDD confirming unit does not detect any operable portion, the system control unit separates the HDD from the image forming apparatus and sets the image forming apparatus into a restriction mode, 
 in the failure of the HDD, when the HDD confirming unit detects an operable portion, the system control unit does not separate the HDD from the image forming apparatus and sets the image forming apparatus into a small-capacity mode, and 
 in the restriction mode, the job execution unit executes other jobs for which the user data used for executing the jobs is storable in the non-volatile semiconductor storage device, 
 the image forming apparatus further comprising a volatile storage device; wherein 
 in the restriction mode,
 the job execution unit executes the other jobs for which the user data is storable in the volatile storage device, and 
 
 when the user data cannot be stored in the volatile storage device, the job execution unit executes the other jobs for which the user data which is used for the jobs is storable in the non-volatile semiconductor storage device. 
 
     
     
       2. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the HDD is partitioned into two or more partitions; and 
 in the confirmation process, the HDD confirming unit tests mounting of each of the partitions and detects a successfully mounted partition as an operable portion. 
 
     
     
       3. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 in the restriction mode, when a size of the user data is equal to or smaller than an acceptable-writing amount of the non-volatile semiconductor storage device, the job execution unit executes the other jobs and stores the user data in the non-volatile semiconductor storage device, the acceptable-writing amount of the non-volatile semiconductor storage device being a largest-writing-data amount per one time to prevent a decrease in a lifespan of the non-volatile semiconductor storage device. 
 
     
     
       4. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein in the small-capacity mode, the job execution unit stores the user data in the operable portion of the HDD. 
     
     
       5. The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 in the restriction mode, the job execution unit executes:
 the other jobs and stores the user data in the volatile storage device, when a size of the user data is equal to or smaller than a value obtained by subtracting a memory capacity used by a program to execute the jobs from an entire capacity of the volatile storage device, and 
 the other jobs and stores the user data in the non-volatile semiconductor storage device, when (i) the user data cannot be stored in the volatile storage device and (ii) the size of the user data is equal to or smaller than an acceptable-writing amount of the non-volatile semiconductor storage device, the acceptable-writing amount of the non-volatile semiconductor storage device being a largest-writing-data amount per one time to prevent a decrease in a lifespan of the non-volatile semiconductor storage device. 
 
 
     
     
       6. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing an image forming program to control a computer of an image forming apparatus including an HDD and a non-volatile semiconductor storage device, the HDD storing user data created by a user, the non-volatile semiconductor storage device storing system data used for operation of the computer, the image forming program causing the computer to function as:
 an HDD confirming unit that detects a failure of the HDD and, in situations where a failure is detected, executes a confirmation process of detecting any operable portion of the HDD; 
 a job execution unit that executes jobs; and 
 a system control unit; wherein 
 in a failure of the HDD, when the HDD confirming unit does not detect any operable portion, the system control unit separates the HDD from the computer and sets the image forming apparatus into a restriction mode, 
 in a failure of the HDD, when the HDD confirming unit detects an operable portion, the system control unit does not separate the HDD from the computer and sets the image forming apparatus into a small-capacity mode, and 
 in the restriction mode, the job execution unit executes other jobs for which the user data used for executing the jobs is storable in the non-volatile semiconductor storage device, 
 the image forming apparatus causing the computer to function as a volatile storage device; wherein 
 in the restriction mode,
 the job execution unit executes the other jobs for which the user data is storable in the volatile storage device, and 
 
 when the user data cannot be stored in the volatile storage device, the job execution unit executes the other jobs for which the user data which is used for the jobs is storable in the non-volatile semiconductor storage device.